Born in the United States of America in 1787, Quince grew up the adopted child of a blacksmith, from whom he learned his craft. He was killed after his ship was sunk by the British during the War of 1812. He was resurrected as an Immortal.

He learned the Rules of the Game from his first Immortal teacher, Patrick Stanze, living the first half of his new life as a blacksmith, like his father. Later, he began to hunt other Immortals, even making his own customized sword with a projectile hidden in the pommel to give him an advantage.

Because he took pleasure in hunting not only other Immortals, but also their close friends, playing cat and mouse with his target, and he began to be called "Slan the Cat." During duels, Slan carried a metallic mask, in order to protect his face, which, according to his opinion, was his most valuable asset, despite the fact that even facial wounds would heal almost instantaneously on an Immortal.